A C T I V I T Y

Cloud Key
C L O U D S

I dentifying clouds is a terrific way for students to put their skills of obser-
vation and classification to work, as well as to launch them into weather
prediction. Clouds are only one of the many factors—including fronts, winds,
pressure systems, etc.—that contribute to predicting weather, but they are Materials
one that students can easily observe. Note: Identifying clouds can be difficult (for each student)
at first. Encourage students to make their best guesses based on the dominant reproducible pages
kind of clouds they see, or to list more than one type. 45 and 46
brass paper fastener
Directions scissors

Make a copy of the reproducible for each student. Show students how to make
1 the Cloud Key by cutting out both circles on pages 45 and 46, cutting out and
discarding the two shaded areas on page 45, and fastening the wheels togeth-
er. Page 45 goes on top.
Show students how to use the key. Move the wheel until the
2 cloud you want appears, then read the name and weather
information in the box.
Have students make a chart with these five headings:
3 “Date/Time,” “Cloud Type,” “A.M. Weather,” “P.M. Predicted
Weather,” “Actual P.M. Weather/Time.” (See the sample
shown here.) Invite students to fill in the chart every morn-
ing for a week, comparing their predictions to the actual
weather in the afternoon.

39
 Cloud Key
Cut out the wheel.
Cut out the two shaded areas inside the wheel.
This is the top wheel of your cloud key.

45
The Wow’s and Why’s of Weather Scholastic Professional Books
 46
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The Wow’s and Why’s of Weather Scholastic Professional Books

cloudy skies.

heavy rain, hail,

Thunderstorms with
Rain or snow likely,

tower to high heights.

Altocumulus
clouds made of ice and
water at middle heights.

Cumulonimbus
Thick blue-gray blanket-like

Giant thunderhead clouds that

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